M.Ed. in Special Education
Mississippi College, located in Clinton, Mississippi, offers a comprehensive Master of ...
Masters of Health Services Administration
Clinton, Mississippi
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The MHSA program at Mississippi College provides a comprehensive education in healthcare management, focusing on the practical skills needed for mid-level healthcare management roles. It is structured into 10 classes over approximately five semesters, providing a career-ready skill set. The program's design caters to individuals with a bachelor's degree in healthcare sciences or a related field with at least one year of healthcare experience, ensuring a foundational understanding among its cohort.
Curriculum: The MHSA curriculum is designed to provide a broad and deep understanding of healthcare administration. Required courses (24 semester hours) cover essential areas such as "Healthcare Financial Management," "Organizational Behavior in Healthcare Administration," "Research Methods and Procedures," "Healthcare Management," "Legal Aspects of Healthcare Administration," and "Healthcare Marketing." Students can further tailor their studies with two electives (6 hours) in healthcare administration, business, or communication, fostering an interdisciplinary approach to leadership within diverse healthcare teams.
Research Focus: The MHSA program at Mississippi College emphasizes applied learning and practical skills, and while it is not a traditional research-intensive master's degree with a thesis requirement, it does include a "Research Methods and Procedures" course. This course is designed to equip students with vital skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, enabling them to engage in academic and professional research effectively. The program aims to produce leaders who can use data and evidence-based approaches to address operational challenges, improve efficiency, and make informed decisions within healthcare organizations.
Industry Engagement: The MHSA program at Mississippi College is strongly aligned with the needs of the healthcare industry. The curriculum directly addresses the financial protocols, operational challenges, and legal nuances of healthcare administration, making graduates highly sought after in roles within hospital systems, nursing homes, and various other health-related organizations. Faculty members often have professional backgrounds in healthcare administration, providing students with real-world insights and practical guidance. The program's design, including its flexible online and evening formats, demonstrates its responsiveness to the needs of working professionals already in or aspiring to enter healthcare leadership.
Global Perspective: While the core curriculum of the MHSA program at Mississippi College is primarily focused on the U.S. healthcare system and its administration, the broader context of healthcare increasingly involves global considerations. Mississippi College, as an institution, has a diverse international student population, which can naturally enrich classroom discussions with varied perspectives on healthcare systems and challenges from around the world. Although not a dedicated global health program, the principles of ethical leadership, organizational behavior, and effective management, which are central to the MHSA, are universally applicable and can prepare graduates to understand and contribute to healthcare contexts with a broader, more interconnected view.
Location
Clinton, Mississippi
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 13856
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $40
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 52 or higher.
Mississippi College is making quality education affordable for students from around the world. To support this goal, the college offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically for international students, helping to reduce the overall cost of tuition and living expenses.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students with strong academic records are eligible for merit-based scholarships. These awards are determined by evaluating high school GPA (or equivalent), standardized test scores (such as SAT or ACT), and other academic achievements. The scholarship amount varies, with awards ranging from partial to significant tuition discounts, which are renewable based on academic performance.
Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships: Highly qualified international students may receive Presidential or Dean’s Scholarships, two of the most prestigious awards offered by Mississippi College. These scholarships are based on exceptional academic credentials and leadership potential and can cover a substantial portion of tuition costs.
A Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) from Mississippi College provides graduates with the essential leadership and management skills required to navigate the dynamic and complex healthcare industry.
Hospital Administrator: Oversee the day-to-day operations of an entire hospital or a specific department, managing budgets, staffing, strategic planning, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations to maintain efficient facility management and quality patient care.
Clinic Manager/Practice Administrator: Manage the operations of outpatient clinics, group physician practices, or specialty clinics. Responsibilities include scheduling, financial management, patient services, and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.
Long-Term Care Administrator/Nursing Home Administrator: Coordinate the daily functions of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other senior care residences, ensuring the delivery of quality care, compliance with regulations, and a positive resident experience.
Healthcare Consultant: Provide strategic advice and solutions to various healthcare organizations, including hospitals, clinics, and government agencies. This involves improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, navigating regulatory changes, and integrating new technologies.
Health Services Manager (Public Health, Insurance, Non-profit): Plan, coordinate, and evaluate health services in diverse settings such as public health departments, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical firms, or non-profit health organizations, focusing on optimizing care delivery and efficiency on a broader scale.
Healthcare Financial Manager: Focus on the financial health of healthcare organizations. This includes budgeting, financial planning, revenue cycle management, cost analysis, and ensuring fiscal stability within hospitals or other healthcare entities.
Director of Operations (Healthcare): Focus on system-wide process improvement, logistics, and resource utilization within healthcare organizations. This role is about optimizing workflows and ensuring that all operational aspects support effective patient care.
Healthcare Marketing Manager: Develop and implement marketing strategies for healthcare organizations, promoting services, engaging with the community, and enhancing the organization's brand and patient acquisition efforts.
Clinical Director: Oversee the administrative and operational aspects of clinical services within a healthcare facility. This requires a balance of clinical knowledge (often from a prior clinical background) and administrative acumen to manage patient flow, staff, and overall clinical efficiency.
Healthcare Compliance Officer: Ensure that healthcare organizations adhere to all applicable laws, regulations (e.g., HIPAA), and internal policies. This critical role involves developing and implementing compliance programs, conducting audits, and mitigating legal risks within the healthcare environment.
